Laois TD warns that Garda resources will be downgraded as new reforms announced

A Laois TD has said the new reforms announced for An Garda Síochana will result in the downgrading of Garda resources in Laois and Offaly.

Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming said the restructuring of An Garda Síochana is important but that it: ‘clearly should have been a matter for Government policy’.

He also said there should have been consultation with various bodies including the Joint Policing Committees (JPC) and Garda Associations across the country before the reforms were announced.

He stated, “Under these new reforms the Laois-Offaly Garda Division has merged with Kildare. There is a very real concern in Laois and Offaly that these new reforms will see the Divisional Headquarters moved from Portlaoise to Naas.

“That would mean one Garda Division will be catering for a population of almost 400,000 people and based out of Naas.

“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that there will be fewer Gardaí in Laois and Offaly should these reforms go ahead as planned, and this simply isn’t acceptable. The time for consultation on these changes was before they were announced, not afterwards.”

He then called on the Minister for Justice, fellow Laois TD, Charlie Flanagan, to put the reforms on hold.

“I am calling on the Minister for Justice to put these reforms on hold until such a time as proper consultation has been held with the various bodies including JPC’s and those who work on the frontline in the divisions.

“I understand that these sweeping reforms are designed to make An Garda Síochana more autonomous and bring frontline policing closer to the public, however, as it stands these reforms are bad for rural Ireland and will reduce the Garda presence in many areas,” he concluded.

Siún Lennon joined LaoisToday in a full-time capacity after studying Journalism and New Media in the University of Limerick. She hails from Rosenallis and her interests vary from news, sports and politics.